I'm curious about how many people here had/have lessons on their instrument, or whether you are more or less self-taught.

I had guitar and drum lessons during secondary school, but these didn't have any heavy metal leanings, so it was jamming about at home that made me develop more I'd say.

I think lessons are good to get kick-started on an instrument, but I also think it's good to find your own style, especially with such obscure genres. In my opinion there isn't much need for theory knowledge in heavy metal either - I bet most bands can't read music at all - I use drum music sometimes when teaching my own students, but that is far more simple, and comes in handy sometimes.

I suspect a large portion of heavy metal bands found their own way with their instruments without much tuition, which might be one reason why there's such diversity in sounds and playing styles.

I myself am entirely self taught, with the exception of one 0 minute lesson I had to get my pinched harmonics down properly.

Its worked relatively well in my favour, but at the same time it hasn't because you don't have many people to correct your mistakes, and I learnt to play by downpicking a lot so my alternate picking is SHIT. Which in turn limits my ability until I can get that down propery etc.On the other hand, if you get lessons then you'll pick up your teacher's habits, both good and bad.

As you said, teaching yourself can give you your own style so its probably for the best.

Self Taught on Guitar, Bass and Drums, intermediate at best I'd say.

Vocals wise it's just something i've been doing for 10+ years and getting stronger each year.

Self taught on Bass and Drums.

The latter mostly watching Queen live video's dvds. I dont really have any intrests in playing in a actual band, I prefer running the behind stuff but I do teach people with minor disabilities, other then that it is just for fun and exercise.

I am learning to play the Ukulele however.

i had lessons for a couple of years, problem is ive been playing without them for 4 years and my playing skill has increased but my musical theory is pretty bad since noones been teaching me.

S.T

I'm self taught on guitar and bass (I've also got a uke as well Pove), but i am actually an advocate of lessons as well. I for one would very much like to understand the theory behind playing because i find it very ambiguous and sometimes struggle to understand the relationships between notes and how to map the fretboard. The few lessons i've had have helped with that but i am sure it's a personal thing.

As for my lessons with Mr Tyack it's more about an interest in learning alternate techniques to expand my playing style etc.

I also think it is not a bad idea to get an outside opinion on your playing technique. It's Banjo and drums next for me.

i am self taught but i buy shit tonnes of music theory work books and guitar technique books and slowly im getting better at sight reading. also youtube has been a huge help to me aswell. i think having guitar lessons though not essential is great and you should atleast have some one apart from yourself look at how you play.

There's no doubt having lessons would make a huge improvement to technique, knowledge of scales, chords, time signatures etc. etc. but I don't really care about any of that stuff, I just like coming up with riffs!

And coming upwith riffs is a problem, because you're always your own worst critic. That, plus theres pretty much no such thing as an original riff anymore

self taught on guitar, drums and keyboard drums

James wrote:There's no doubt having lessons would make a huge improvement to technique, knowledge of scales, chords, time signatures etc. etc. but I don't really care about any of that stuff, I just like coming up with riffs!

See i can't be like that. If i'm going to do something i have to understand it to the fullest of my ability, and considering how very very very little understand it all now i am quite frustrated.

I think i'm going to have to follow Zurab's method and just get a billion books and force it into my brain!

also having a instrument or music teacher can be great cause they can be a very good link to the music industry and also know alot of other musicians like yourself that they can get you to meet.

I'm self taught on Guitar Bass and Drums. I'm shit on drums and bass though.
I'm a pretty damn good metal rhythm guitarist if I do say so myself, but I've got no idea on how to start with lead stuff. I usually jame through the blues scale with alternate picking pretty quick, but that's about the best I can do.
I was going looking at Joe Satriani DVDs last night, but they were 30 quid so fuck that!!

Just torrent the shitty things, works for me.